Rokoduguni added to Saxons squad

17 January 2014

Bath Rugby's flying winger Semesa Rokoduguni has been added to the England Saxons 25-man training squad to face the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds at Kingsholm on Saturday, January 25th (17.00, live on Sky Sports HD1).

Rokoduguni, who scored a brace against Bordeaux last night on his return from injury, is one of 10 players called in from outside the Saxons Elite Player Squad, nine of whom are making their first appearances at this level, and joins his Bath teammates Nathan Catt and Jonathan Joseph in the squad.

He joins young forwards Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Dave Ward, Charlie Matthews (both Harlequins) and Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), and backs Dave Lewis, Henry Slade, and Sam Hill (all Exeter Chiefs) in impressing this season, as well as Tom Varndell (London Wasps) who returns to the squad for the first time since 2009.

They step up as temporary replacements for those players currently injured or elevated to the Senior squad that assembles next Monday. Gloucester centre Henry Trinder (groin) has not been considered to face the Wolfhounds.

The Saxons squad will be updated to take on Scotland A in Glasgow on January 31st but before then they face a significant challenge against the Wolfhounds, who they beat 14-10 in Galway last season with a late score from Saracens flanker Will Fraser.

Joe Lydon, the RFU's Head of International Player Development, leads the Saxons management with Head Coach Jon Callard assisted by Simon Hardy and Saracens' Paul Gustard.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: "Our philosophy on selection is to give some younger players an opportunity alongside one or two more established players who are looking to push into the Senior squad. It is a great opportunity for players to put a marker down and show they have the ability to go from club to country and still deliver the club form many of them have been showing. The opportunities ahead of them are clear with a major tour to New Zealand to come this summer before the Rugby World Cup next year.

"We have a good blend in the backline with the likes of Henry Slade and Sam Hill stepping up from England Under 20 side that won the Junior World Championship last summer.

"In the back three, we're all excited about seeing Mathew Tait in an England shirt once more and having him, Elliot Daly, Tom Varndell and Semesa Rokoduguni available means we're strong in that area, and we will rotate the squad so everyone will get an opportunity.

"We've followed Semesa's progress since his days in the British Army, he's excited about playing for England after qualifying by residence and his form and the feedback from the Bath coaches has been excellent this season."